Electronic payments in the European Union (EU) soared to an impressive €240 trillion in value in 2021, marking a significant rise from €184.2 trillion in 2017, and this momentum in the payment services landscape shows no signs of slowing. As the sector and the number of its participants grow, the European Commission is proactively championing the security, efficiency, and competitiveness of electronic transactions and banking services. Its recent introduction of the third Payment Services Directive (PSD3) and a fresh Payment Services Regulation (PSR) signals an industry-guided approach to addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in the realm of payment services. 

From PSD2 to PSD3: Evolution, Not Revolution

In late June, the European Commission introduced its comprehensive draft proposal, encapsulating both the PSD3 and the PSR, following an extensive consultation with industry stakeholders. These documents aren’t about starting from scratch but refining and enhancing the existing framework of the PSD2 and the Electronic Money Directive. It’s a step towards optimizing the electronic payment and banking ecosystem in the EU, ensuring that it remains consumer-centric and competitive while addressing the challenges of the modern digital age. 

When PSD2 was introduced in 2015, it was a significant milestone, creating a cohesive blueprint for payments across the EU. But as with all technological and regulatory landscapes, there’s always room for growth and adaptation. PSD3 doesn’t aim to overhaul the system but to fine-tune it, ensuring it aligns with the current digital realities and anticipates future trends. 

Key Objectives of PSD3

The PSD3, while being an evolutionary step in the European payment regulation regime, is anchored around several pivotal objectives. These objectives not only address the current challenges but also anticipate future needs, ensuring that the European payment ecosystem remains robust, transparent, and user-aligned. Here are the key objectives:

• Strengthening Fraud Prevention: PSD3 introduces robust objectives to counteract advanced fraudulent techniques. There's a strong emphasis on enhanced verification processes, such as IBAN/name-matching verifications, and transaction surveillance mechanisms.
• Empowering Consumers: One of the core tenets of PSD3 is to ensure clearer communication regarding various payment aspects, from transaction fees, to currency conversion and ATM charges, to facilitating the release of unused blocked funds.
• Collaborative Data Sharing: A legislative proposal for a framework to bolster financial data access has also been produced by the Commission, seeking to lead to more innovative financial products in the industry.
• Simplified Regulatory Regimes: The Commission has proposed a unified regime for both electronic money institutions (EMIs) and payment institutions (PIs). With PSD3, there will only be PIs, who can also be granted authorization to offer e-money services.
• Enhancing Open Banking: With PSD3, there's a move to set more stringent standards for data access interfaces, ensuring secure and seamless data sharing. The introduction of a user dashboard gives consumers a clear view of their data access rights and usage, fostering transparency. This is all part of the broader vision to create a more transparent and reliable open banking environment.
• Supporting non-bank PSPs: The draft text also seeks to level the competitive playing field between bank and non-bank payment service providers (PSPs) by improving the latters' access to EU payment systems and bank accounts.

These objectives underline the European Commission's commitment to creating a payment ecosystem that is not only secure and efficient but also places the consumer at its heart.

Next Steps

The proposal documents have been released and are set for a thorough examination by the EU’s two co-legislatures, the European Parliament and Council. After the final text has been agreed upon and approved, it will become binding. The PSR will be immediately effective across the EU, though there will be a transitional grace period to allow the industry to adapt. Conversely, since PSD3 is a Directive, it mandates every national legislature to integrate it into their own laws, within a predetermined time frame. 

Key Takeaways 

The introduction of PSD3 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of payment services within the EU. While building on the strong foundations set by PSD2, it addresses the challenges and opportunities of the current digital age. By focusing on consumer protection, promoting competition, and ensuring a transparent and secure environment, PSD3 is poised to positively shape the future of electronic payments in Europe, ensuring that the region remains at the forefront of global financial innovation.